“Knowing your familiarity with the subject and feeling that had you remained at General Headquarters the matter would have been favorably acted upon by this time, I am taking the liberty to ask if you would be kind enough to use your good offices with the Adjutant General to have the matter approved before January 1, 1910. “With best wishes, I am, “Yours sincerely, “(Signed) LOUIS D. CONLEY, “_Lieut.-Colonel_.” “HEADQUARTERS DIVISION NATIONAL GUARD, STATE OF NEW YORK, “CAPITOL, ALBANY, December 20th, 1909. “COLONEL LOUIS D. CONLEY, 69TH REGIMENT, N. G. N. Y., NEW YORK CITY. “_My dear Colonel Conley_: “I have just received your favor of the seventeenth instant, having been on duty in New York City on Friday and Saturday last. “I have submitted the matter to Captain Reagan, Adjutant General’s Office, who has such subjects in hand, and he tells me that the record has been accepted and will appear in the official register when published, and that the authority for the silver rings will be published in the next General Orders, which cover changes in organization and in which I believe silver rings are generally authorized. “With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, believe me, “Yours sincerely, “(Signed) CHAUNCEY P. WILLIAMS.” A separate silver engraved ring will be authorized to be placed upon the Lance of the National Color for each of the following engagements: CIVIL WAR, 1861–1865.